Top Jazz Clubs in Brussels

Brussels is known to have a vibrant cultural life, especially when it comes to jazz. Belgium once played its valuable role in the development of this unique musical genre. Additionally, the saxophone is a Belgian invention – Adolphe Sax conceived the iconic instrument in 1846. For those of you who wish to enjoy a jazz concert while visiting, here are the top jazz clubs you can visit after your daily tour around the top Brussels landmarks, and have a great time. There are plenty of local taxi numbers you can dial and a car will pick you up in no time.
 

The Music Village

Sitting put at a 17th century location in the heart of Brussels, a few meters away from the legendary Grand Place, this jazz club operates since the 1st of September, 2000. Offering solid acoustics, sound system, amazing lighting, proper stage, a lot of comfort, and high quality food and drinks, the Music Village gives its music fans, both listeners and musicians alike, a return to the Golden Age of international jazz venues blossom. The program consists of 250 concerts a year, hosting some of the best Belgian and international jazz musicians, who endorsed this cosmopolitan venue for its high quality standards. The Music Village is an absolute must-see for all jazz lovers. Here you will find high professionalism in an intimate setting. This New York-style jazz club presents young talents as well. It’s open every day from 7pm, radiating with an irresistible atmosphere.
 

Sounds Jazz Club

The atmosphere, the fragrance, the warmth and the music here hold on to the standard of true, authentic jazz, even though you are not in Chicago or New Orleans. This jazz club is open since 1986 by Sergio Duvalloni and Rosy Merlini, offering the best Belgian and international jazz performers on stage, being a ‘must’ for all jazz fans and lovers of good music. The style, the cocktails, the delicious Italian dishes and the quality of this unique venue, make it worthy of your visit. Considered as a real institution since the 1980s, the Sounds Jazz Club guides its visitors back in time. Here, the Belgian musicians share the stage with the performers from all around the world. Just relax and enjoy the quality music with a cocktail and delicious Italian specialties.
 

Jazz Station

After a decade of existence, the Jazz Station bursts of initiatives and projects, making this venue more than a simple jazz club. This place offers its growing audience a new way to experience jazz music. Besides the annual concerts, the jazz club houses exhibitions, artist residencies, festivals, courses, meetings about music, but also public rehearsals and aperitif concerts. Sitting in a completely restored old railway station, the jazz club is a living center dedicated to music. This is a friendly space where the respect for the musicians and the musical quality is always a priority. Specifically focused on the Belgian jazz scene, organizing local concerts, exhibitions and several other activities in this exceptional building, the place offers the visitors a chance to sit back, relax and listen to some of the best jazz vibes in town.
 

L’Archiduc

Conveniently sitting in the Antoine Dansaert's Street, close to the Stock Exchange, this art deco jazz club is home to several artists and hosts many concerts, especially during the autumn and winter months. L'Archiduc has existed since 1937, known back then as a classy and discrete art deco establishment used by the brokers and their secretaries, and has a long and vivid history. The friendly folk named Jean-Louis and Nathalie Hennart have run the place as it is known today since 1985. Today, you can still sit on the original benches along the walls, and admire the original cast iron main door decorated with a beautiful “A”, standing for Archiduc. In 1953, the true pioneer of Belgian jazz, Stan Brenders, performed most evenings at the Archiduc. From then on, the outstanding jazz club proposes its Saturday’s Jazz After Shopping and Sunday’s Round About Five. For all of you who wish to enjoy entertaining music surrounded by charismatic décor, drop by for a drink or few at the Archiduc.
 

Théâtre Marni

Starting out as a cinema in 1948, located at Place Eugène Flagey, and under the direction of Joseph Weckx, this large room with 1700 seats had a very popular program and it could be considered as a reliable cinema. During the decline of the neighborhood halls in the early 1970s, many attempts were made to transform the place into a theater - Johnny Hallyday, Joe Dassin and Duke Ellington, shortly before his death, performed here. Once it was closed in 1974, the place was a rehearsal room for the RTBF Symphony Orchestra and choirs until 1982. In 1997 it was transformed into a theater by the “Ensemble Théâtral Mobile” and after one year, the venue was taken over by the French Community of Belgium, making it a multi-purpose cultural venue. The Théâtre Marni today offers numerous and various events. The Marni Jazz Festival takes place here every September, honoring each year with a different instrument. For those who wish to savor a delightful jazz concert, check the club’s agenda and drop by while in Brussels.

Regardless if you are visiting Brussels for the first or for the tenth time, endorsing the local jazz culture is truly a thing you should do. There are so many jazz clubs to be seen, it may pose a difficulty when choosing. And after a long night of jazz enjoyment, grab a waffle at one of the most recommended waffle shops in Brussels. After such experiences, getting to Charleroi airport will not be an easy thing to do.